Celebrating Life

  Lately, I find it nigh on impossible to sleep past 4am.  I pop awake and try as I might, sleep just will not return.  After tossing and turning a bit, I relent and tumble out of bed.  It is still quite dark at this time but I have found if I put on the coffee pot, throw in a load of laundry and take my sweet time meandering down the hill, the pier is illuminated enough to continue.  After I reach the bench at the end, I enjoy my mug of coffee as I wait for the sun to rise.  The sounds of the birds waking bring smiles as does the sights of nocturnal critters  heading to bed.

  This morning, that jaunt to the pier brought another happy surprise.  A pod of dolphins was playing in the Bay.  The surprise got even better when I realized that all of the rejoicing was due to a new baby in the pod!  What a joyous occasion!  The tiny one was being boosted along by the gentle nudges of the adults.  It has been said that bottlenosed dolphin babies, like human babies, have to be taught.  The mothers and other adults of the family pod will help the little one learn to swim and to surface.  They are also taught the finer points of corralling fish and general survival tactics.

  The dolphins this morning were doing a good bit of what I call "water-dancing" as they would hold their tails high out of the water or even jump out of the water.  It appeared as if they were celebrating the new arrival so I celebrated with them.  It is always good to see the Bay and Bayou so healthy.